logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
43m 33s

Everest '96: Trapped in the Death Zone |...

Wondery
About this episode

As the climbers make their final push for the summit, time is of the essence. They must make it to the top before 2 p.m. to ensure they get back to camp before dark. But due to delays, most of them don’t reach the summit until late in the afternoon, and by then, everyone is exhausted and oxygen is running low. Worst of all, a severe storm is moving in fast. As daylight fades, climbers must hurry or they’ll be trapped in the Death Zone.


Listen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Oct 7
The Big Burn | The Blow-Up | 2
As the fires spread, ranger Ed Pulaski tries to lead his men on a last-ditch effort to save the town of Wallace. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Soldiers race to build firebreaks around Avery, and head ranger Bill Weigle realizes he’s made a terrible mistake. Order your copy of the new Ag ... Show More
38m 11s
Sep 30
The Big Burn | The Driest Summer | 1
In the summer of 1910, a severe drought turned Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene National Forest into a tinderbox. Spot fires cropped up around the mining towns of Wallace and Avery and it was the job of forest rangers like Ed Pulaski to put them out. But when a massive windstorm swept throu ... Show More
41m 24s
Sep 23
Siula Grande: Over the Edge | Making Peace With It, With Simon Yates | 4
In 1985, high on Peru’s Siula Grande, everything went wrong, and two climbers made choices that became mountaineering lore. Simon Yates joins host Cassie De Pecol to talk about risk, survival, and being known as “the guy who cut the rope.”If you’d like to learn more about Simon's ... Show More
33m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Are people lining up to die on Mount Everest?
Another climbing season for those attempting to summit Mount Everest has come to a close.   This year, the Nepalese government offered fewer climbing permits in an effort to reduce congestion on the mountain and improve safety, after a record-breaking 18 climbers lost their lives ... Show More
11m 48s
Jul 2023
A Deadly Rescue on Mount Rainier
In this episode of Out Alive, we share a harrowing tale of survival, resilience, and tragedy on Mount Rainier. Four climbers set out to conquer the mountain, only to face disaster on their descent when a dramatic fall results in catastrophic injuries, leaving them stranded on its ... Show More
52m 57s
Nov 2024
Everest Expedition: Decision Time at the Summit
In 1991 Mount Everest is a very different place than it is today. A young American arrives at the remote outpost of Base Camp intent on tackling the planet’s tallest peak. Using the last of his student loan, Dan Mazur has blagged his way onto a Soviet climbing team. But his unlik ... Show More
55m 38s
Mar 2025
Peak Danger: 8. Only The Mountain Knows
In the aftermath of the tragedy that claimed 11 lives, the surviving climbers leave K2 behind. As they do, they’re walking into a worldwide media frenzy.Everyone wants to know what happened? What went wrong? And most of all - was it worth it? A heartbroken Cecilie Skog tries to p ... Show More
29m 40s
Aug 2023
When should a climber leave another to die?
A World record-breaking climber, hailed a sporting hero just a fortnight ago, stands accused of leaving another to die as she ascended K2 - but does she deserve the criticism she's facing?Hear a dispatch from Hawaii, where devastating wildfires have left destruction, but also hop ... Show More
10m 4s
Dec 2024
Paragliding Disaster: Sucked Towards the Stratosphere (Repeat)
This week, we delve into the Real Survival Stories archive. In case you missed them the first time around, there are over 70 stories in the back catalogue available to listen to now. We’ll be back as normal, every week, after a short festive break. A picturesque paragliding fligh ... Show More
54m 39s
Sep 4
Why Fear Can Save Your Life: Nelly Attar on K2 and Everest
What happens when one of the Arab world’s most fearless adventurers sits down to share the risks, triumphs, and raw truths behind her record-breaking climbs? In this riveting episode of Luca’s Insight Track, Luca is joined by Nelly Attar—the first Arab woman to summit K2—whose jo ... Show More
1h 6m
Aug 22
Paradise Poisoned: How Utopias Fall Apart
Dore Strauch and Friedrich Ritter make an unconventional couple, united by their contempt for shoes, root vegetables and, above all, society. In 1929 they leave Germany and begin anew on the deserted Galapagos island of Floreana. At first, it feels like a paradise, but soon crack ... Show More
41 m
Feb 2024
The Race to Ruin | Deep Water | 2
As he gets further into the Golden Globe race, Donald Crowhurst realises he's in trouble. He has not brought the right supplies, his boat is not watertight and he's sailing towards the most dangerous area of water on earth. He decides to take a gamble. If it goes right then he'll ... Show More
48m 48s
Oct 2018
SALEM Ep. 5 | "Legacy"
The Salem witch trials reach their darkest point as more innocent lives are lost. When the crisis touches the highest level of government, the governor finally stops the trials. The outbreak slowly fades away, but it haunts all involved for the rest of their lives. For the next 3 ... Show More
50m 44s